“It’s a murder that could have come out of a crime novel”

In Graz, a 22-year-old crime was the focus of attention for the second time on Monday. In 2001 the body of an Italian was found in eastern Styria. It was not until 2015 that the first clues to clarify the case came, and in 2019 two men were finally convicted of this murder. Now the alleged client and the second direct perpetrator have to answer before a jury (chaired by Michaela Lapanje).

Doris Beck-Zehetleitner (ORF) reports from Graz:

Motive: greed

“It’s a very special procedure. It’s a murder that could have come from a crime thriller,” said prosecutor Daniel Weinberger at the beginning. “The motive is greed,” the prosecutor was convinced. At the end of the 1990s, an Italian fell in love with a Slovakian. “There is a rumor that she worked as a prostitute.” He kept giving her money, she kept asking for more, eventually including life insurance for her daughter. At some point it became too much for the Italian and he threatened to report her.

An acquaintance of the woman is said to have developed a plan to kill the man. Two other participants are said to have lured the Italian to Styria and killed him with a stab and a shot in the head. The body was found in Sinabelkirchen near the Autobahn and could not be assigned for a long time. One of the perpetrators and the planner were finally sentenced to 17 and 18 years in prison in 2019. They are expected on Wednesday as witnesses in the ongoing proceedings.

Defense Attorney: There are only circumstantial evidence

The Slovakian, who ran a beauty clinic in her home country until her arrest, has not commented at all, and the second accused has recently been heavily accused by his daughter. Her father allegedly confessed to the crime in 2012.

“There is no evidence, only circumstantial evidence and dubious statements,” said the Slovak’s defender. There are also no DNA traces of her client, only the traces of three previously unknown men were found at the crime scene. The fact that her own daughter had burdened her father had to do with the fact that she wanted to protect the woman. Allegedly she works in one of the companies of the accused.

“The indictment is an exciting story that has nothing to do with reality,” said the woman’s defense attorney, Gerald Ruhri. The lawyer emphasized that his client was the only person not to be blamed in this case, that she was “a successful businesswoman” and that there was no question of prostitution. In fact, she ended the relationship with the later victim because the Italian tormented her with his jealousy. The first accused is said to have blackmailed her by threatening to report her and link her to the death of her former lover. She gave him money several times, but then moved away and didn’t pay anything anymore.

The accused Slovakian did not feel guilty. The Italian wanted to buy an apartment to save money for the hotel, she didn’t push him, the woman said on Monday. “The apartment should have been intended for your daughter, is that right?” asked the judge. “No, he wanted her for himself.” The man had already reported his girlfriend because she kept asking him for more money, but withdrew the complaint. He is said to have said that he was afraid of her and feared for his life, the judge held before the accused. “That’s not true at all,” defended the accused. She confirmed that both partners had life insurance, in favor of their daughter. “We wanted to have something in common,” was her explanation. When the relationship broke up, she immediately canceled the insurance. His remained and came into effect with his death. “Why did you cancel your insurance, your daughter was the beneficiary,” the chairwoman was interested. “I didn’t want anything more in common,” came the reply.

The trial will continue on Wednesday. Then, among other things, the first witnesses should be questioned.